Senate Bill 210 proposes significant changes to the criteria and processes for designating recipients of academic excellence higher education scholarships in Wisconsin. The bill aims to repeal several existing provisions related to the scholarship program, including specific eligibility criteria and nomination processes for high schools with varying enrollment sizes. Notably, it allows high schools with an enrollment of at least one pupil but less than 500 pupils to designate one senior with the highest grade point average as a scholar without requiring a nomination from the Higher Educational Aids Board (HEAB). Additionally, the bill clarifies that seniors eligible for the scholarship do not include those enrolled in home-based private educational programs.

The bill also amends various sections of the statutes to reflect these changes, including adjustments to the definitions and processes for selecting scholars. For instance, it modifies the language to remove the previous enrollment threshold of 80 pupils for certain designations and replaces it with a new threshold of one pupil. Other amendments streamline the selection process and ensure that the designation of scholars is more straightforward for schools of different sizes. Overall, the bill seeks to simplify the scholarship allocation process and broaden access for eligible students.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 39.41(1)(bm), 39.41, 39.41(1m)(a)1, 39.41(1m)(b), 39.41(1m)(c)3, 39.41(1m)(c)4, 39.41(1m)(c)5, 39.41(1m)(d), 39.41(1m)(e), 39.41(1m)(g), 39.41(1m)(h), 39.41(1m)(j), 39.41(1m)(m), 39.41(8)